Meta launches Twitter rival, Threads, ahead of launch date

Instagram’s new app, Threads, has gone live ahead of schedule and Australians are rushing to test it out.

The app is Meta’s answer to Twitter and comes after months of uncertainty over the social media platform’s future following Elon Musk’s takeover last year.

Users in more than 100 countries were able to download the app from about 3am (AEST) on Thursday morning, a day ahead of its scheduled launch of July 7. 
 

Threads is launching early. I did the App Store pre order thing the other day and woke up to this notification from 4hrs ago. #Threads pic.twitter.com/seGdweDt5U

— Dave Earley (@earleyedition) July 5, 2023

Users have the ability to share text posts of up to 500 characters including links, photos, carousels and videos of up to 5 minutes to a “scroll style” feed. 

It is not known why the app launched early, though the fact Meta is describing it as an “initial version” suggests there are a number of features that will be added in coming weeks.

One such detail is the opportunity to boost it‘s compatibility with other social networks.

So is Threads gonna be a thing? Are we making moves?

— Brad Nash (@bradgalriri) July 6, 2023

I feel like I’m cheating by making a Threads acc but I need to leave this toxic relationship

— Joe C (@Josememe_) July 6, 2023

can everyone sign up to threads so we can get off this app

— rubz (@rubygboland) July 6, 2023

“We are working toward making Threads compatible with the open, interoperable social networks that we believe can shape the future of the internet,” a post to Meta‘s website said. 

While users rushed to download and check out the highly-anticipated app, there was also a flood of people turning to Twitter to share their thoughts and gauge whether their followers would join them on the new platform.
 

“So is threads going to be a thing? Are we making moves?” one user tweeted.

Some users felt put off by the app being linked to Instagram, an app so far dominated by influencers, celebrities and often used to keep in touch with social circles.

guess we'll see how threads pans out but doesn't look too promising for my purposes... being synced with insta is pretty bleh

— jintor on c o h o s t (@jintor_au) July 6, 2023

I don’t like seeing other people’s threads. Is it possible to only see threads of people you follow?

— J (@joshepien) July 6, 2023

“Guess we’ll see how threads pans out but doesn’t look too promising for my purposes … being synched with insta is pretty bleh,” the user said.

Users trying out the app for the first time were quick to notice that the homepage feed is automatically populated with threads from accounts the app has decided might interest them – similar to TikTok and Twitter feeds titled “For You”.

“I don’t like seeing other people’s threads. Is it possible to only see threads of people you follow?,” one person tweeted.

It is not known if users will be able to turn this feature off in the future.